Doña Ana County sees large numbers during early voting

County residents took advantage of the start of early voting throughout the county Saturday, Oct. 20, by casting their ballots at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, 3499, 200 E. Picacho Ave.(Photo: Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News)Buy Photo

This story has been updated to include voting numbers from Saturday, Oct. 20.

LAS CRUCES - Hundreds of county residents made their way to the polls Saturday as early voting in Doña Ana County extended countywide.

Even before polls opened at 11 a.m., a line was already starting to form on the second floor of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, one of eight early voting polling sites.

Doña Ana County had been leading the state in the number of people who voted early through Friday. Bernalillo County, which has a much larger population, finally overtook Doña Ana County on Saturday.

Still, voters in Doña Ana County — the state's second largest — have arrived at polling stations in relatively large numbers this year. On Sunday, the New Mexico Secretary of State's office reported 9,647 Doña Ana County voters had cast a ballot in person or by absentee.

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A long line formed to early vote at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library Saturday morning, Oct. 20, 2018.(Photo: Jacqueline Devine/Sun-News)

"I think there is just a general interest in the election process this year," said Dan Parrott, presiding judge at Branigan Library. "I think we will see at least 250 people at the Branigan Library location alone if it keeps going well today. I think it's a good idea to vote early because it's not as crowded as election day. Vote as early as you can so you don’t have to stand in line."

Marie Aguirre, an early voter, said she believes Doña Ana County is leading the way because people want to see a change.

"It motivates people to go out and make a difference and it gets their voice heard," Aguirre said. "I believe that’s the reason we've been seeing many people go and vote."

Aguirre said she decided to vote early because it's more convenient than going out on election day.

"Well, its easier to vote when you have the opportunity and you have the time and are not pressed for time," Aguirre said. "It's important to vote so that our voice is heard. If you don’t vote then you don’t have an opportunity to have your voice heard and to make positive choices for our nation."

Christopher and Theresa Nuñez said they decided to head out to the polls early and vote because they believe it is their civic duty.

"I just feel that it’s really necessary, especially right now," Christopher said. "Our country needs everyone to vote and we need all the voters we can get, young or old. It’s our civic duty."

Theresa said she hopes to encourage more young people to vote because it is their right to do so.

"It’s just very important to vote, especially being a woman. Also, I think it's important to protect those rights of voting," Theresa said. "I would encourage everyone to just get out there and vote because a lot of times people just want to complain and put the blame on other people. But in reality, we need to be blaming ourselves because if we’re too lazy to get out there and vote, then you have no reason to complain."

Many early voters, like Julie Martinez, voted early to avoid long lines.

"I work full time, and really just the line. I didn’t think I would wait this long," Martinez said. "It's important to vote so that you can't complain later and your vote really does makes a difference."

Registered voters can cast an early ballot at the county government center on regular days of business from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and ending on the Saturday prior to Election Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voters can cast a ballot at any of the other locations from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Absentee and early voting has been ongoing at the Doña Ana County Clerk's Office, inside the county government center, since Oct. 9.